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If called upon, Wolf ready for Tuesday spot start

If called upon, Wolf ready for Tuesday spot start

7/11/13: Ross Wolf turns in a quality spot-start for Texas, going six innings and allowing two runs on three hits

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers haven't announced who their Tuesday starter will be, but Ross Wolf said he is ready if needed.

Wolf pitched a scoreless inning on Saturday night in a 15-3 victory over the Mariners. It was his first appearance in 10 days as the Rangers haven't had much need for a long reliever in August.

"You don't want to see me in the fourth inning," Wolf said. "That's not a good thing. It's a credit to our starters going deep in the game."

The Rangers have scratched Alexi Ogando from his next start after he received an anti-inflammation in his right shoulder. The club hasn't decided if it will put him on the disabled list.

If Ogando goes on the DL, the Rangers will likely call up left-hander Travis Blackley from Triple-A Round Rock. He has pitched five innings over two appearances since being acquired from the Astros. If the Rangers resist putting Ogando on the DL, they will bring Wolf out of the bullpen for his fourth start of the season.

Wolf, despite having pitched just twice in August, said he could throw 70 pitches if needed Tuesday. That could get him at least through five innings. Wolf averages 14.1 pitches per inning, the third lowest ratio for a Rangers pitcher with at least 40 innings in a season over the past 25 years.